3-D Pumpkin Cookies (with a surprise inside)

Directions

1. Mix up a batch of sugar cookie dough using your favorite recipe.
2. Take a small ball of dough and knead green food coloring into it. Place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
3. Add orange food coloring to the remaining dough and knead until desired color. Place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
4. Chill dough, then bake according to recipe directions using the specified cutter sizes: for each pumpkin, you need (2) orange scalloped circle cookies 1 7/8" diameter, (2) orange scalloped circle cookies 2 1/4" diameter with a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" circle cutout, (1) green scalloped circle 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" diameter with a hole cutout using a straw, and (1) green stem made from rolling a small amount of green dough into a "snake" and cutting into pieces about 3/4" long. Bake.
5. Prepare a batch of royal icing.
6. Assemble the pumpkin base: Start with one solid orange circle and one cutout circle. Add a line of royal icing onto the solid circle, then place the cookie ring on top.
7. Add a line of royal icing onto the first cookie ring, then add the second cookie ring.
8. The base of your pumpkin is complete.
9. Assemble the pumpkin top: Attach the small green stem to the green circle using a bit of royal icing. Then add a line of royal icing onto the bottom of the green circle and place it on top of a solid orange circle.
10. Allow the pumpkin top and base to dry fully, at least 1-2 hours.
11. Fill the pumpkin cavity with mini M&Ms or other small candy, place the top on, and share with family and friends.